Unloading station mechanism



Dec. 25, 1962 J. L. BONANNO ,2

UNLOADING STATION MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10, 1958 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 All; I H l lllt/ I IIHII F] r INVENTOR 1/0 S'P/V A. Bo/vmwvo ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1962 J. L. BONANNO 3,070,247

UNLOADING STATION MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1962 J. L. BONANNO UNLOADING STATION MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR dose-P .Fo/wmm/o BYv 7 47 ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1962 J. L. BONANNO UNLOADING STATION MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 10, 1958 IHHHIIHHH 84/ IHHHIH IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I!!! INVENTOR z/o sea 4. EoNfl/VNO [minim BY United rates 3,070,247 UNLOADING STATION MECHANISM Joseph L. Bonanno, South Orange, N.J., assignor to The Lionel Corporation, New York, N .Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 772,357 4 Claims. (Cl. 2l4--146.5)

This invention relates in general to toys and particularly to a new and useful model railway lumber unloading station including a simulated fork-lift truck adapted to be moved by a novel mechanism between a lumber-carrying train and an unloading station and effect unloading of lumber from the train to the station.

The present invention is generally similar to that disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial Number 747,225 filed July 8, 1958 by Richard J. Smith, now Patent No. 3,028,027, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The present invention is an improvement over that of the aforementioned application particularly in respect to the novel and inexpensive vehicle operating mechanism including an inexpensive impulse motor for moving the vehicle to the location of a train positioned on an adjacent track structure, and thereafter moving the vehicle to a remote position on an unloading platform to discharge materials picked up at the loading track section.

The invention finds particular application in use with model railways for unloading simulated lumber from a model railway flatcar onto an unloading station. The present invention provides an extremely inexpensive and simple mechanism for simulating life-like unloading by means of a fork-lift truck which is capable of moving in a direction toward a model railway flatcar to pick up a piece of lumber and thereafter turn a quarter revolution to a direction parallel to the track and position the lumber in a pile on an unloading station.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an improved toy-lumber unloading mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy lumber unloading mechanism including an impulse motor and associated mechanism for moving a simulated toy vehicle to and fro on a loading platform and effecting the turning of the vehicle as it moves to an unloading position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy lumber unloading mechanism which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and de scribed a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top-plan View of a lumber-unloading station including a model railway car in position thereon for unloading by a simulated fork-lift truck;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the lumber-unloading station indicated in FIG. 1 with the fork-lift truck shown in a position for unloading to the platform; a

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the lumber-unloading station indicating the fork-lift truck with the upper structure removed and the operating mechanism therefor;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan partly in section of a portion of the unloading station platform with the ramp removed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken'on' the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

3,070,247 Patented Dec. 25, 1962 ire FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the impulse motor driving mechanism for the unloading station.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodied therein includes an unloading station base platform, generally designated A having a recessed track section portion generally designated B which extends along a side thereof.

The unloading station platform A supports an operating mechanism (FIG. 3) generally designated C for a simulated fork-lift truck vehicle, generally designated D and which is moved between a position adjacent a railroad car, generally designated E, to a discharging position on a magnetically attractable ramp member, generally designated F. The ramp member F is afiixed on the platform A adjacent a. side thereof and perpendicular to the railway car E. The operating mechanism C is enclosed by a combination lumber-unloading platform and cover member generally designatedv G.

The railway car E, in FIGURES l and 2, is generally similar to the usual model railway fiatcar but includes three upstanding lumber-supporting members 10, 12 and 14 which are mounted on top of a fiat body 16 of the car B. Each of the upstanding lumber-supporting members 19, 12 and 14 include a fiat lumber-supporting surface 18 at an elevation above the floor of the fiat body 16. The supporting surface 18 is divided in half by a cross-member 20 which, together with side plates 22 and 24 form a'channel-receiving.recess for lumber 26 to be stacked on the car. The lumber 26 is shaped to fit into the recess between adjacent supporting members and is held against sliding movement by the end plates 22 and 24 for purposes to be descrbed more fully hereinafter.

The railway car E is provided with wheels 2-8 which rest on a track structure 30 which is arranged parallel to an edge of the platform A. In accordance with the invention the fork-lift truck D is arranged to move along the ramp F fro-m a position adjacent the railway car E at which location it is effective to pick up a piece of lumber from the car. Thereafter the truck is moved to a location across the platform and remote from the car at which point the truck is rotated one-quarter of a turn to position it in a location for unloading the lumber on a flat unloading surface 32 of the lumber unloading platform and cover member G.

The fork-lift truck D (FIGS. 3, 6 and 8) comprises a substantially tub-shaped body member, generally designated 34 of non-magnetic material having two magnets 33 and 35 therein and having four hub portions 36 adjacent each corner which together with tire members 38 simulate the wheels of a fork-lift truck vehicle. The body member 34 is provided with a central partition 40 (FIGS. 6 and 8) which is hollowed at the bottom to receive a pin member 42 of the fork-truck operating mechanism. Bottorn surfaces 44 and 46 into which magnets 33 and 35 are mounted on each side of the partition member 4!) are normally in sliding contact with the floor of the magnetically attractable magnet ramp F.

A slide plate 48 is slidably positioned on the partition member 40 and is covered by a channel-shaped plate 58.

The channel-shaped plate 50 covers a recessed bearing supextending arms at) and 62 thereon. The arms 60 and 62 each include end portions 64 which form the upper jaws of a lumber-gripping jaw. A member 66 is pivotally mounted on the arms and is movable between a jaw-gripping position in close contact with associated jaw members 64 and a releasing position as illustrated in FIG. 3. The member 66 is'providcd with a central upstanding stud 68 which is connected by a wire member 76 to an upstanding portion 72 at the front end of the plate 48. The wire member 70 is provided with a loop portion 75 which effects a loose connection with the member 66 at the opposite side of the pivot from the jaw portion thereof. The loose connection permits movement of the crane member 56 between the solid and dotted line positions indicated in FIG. 6. The end of the crane member 56 opposite from the arm 60 and 62 is provided with a counterbalancing weight 74 to prevent tipping of the fork-lift truck.

In FIG. 6, the fork-lift truck is in position for unloading a piece of lumber from the railway car E. The pin member 42 which actuated the fork-lift truck D is on the end of a crank arm 76 which is confined for movement within a slot 78 on the ramp F. When the crank arm moves to the end of the slot 78, the crane member 56 is in a forward tilting position since the slide plate 48 is urged to the forward end of the fork-lift truck D. This is possible because the magnets 33 and 35 of the tubshaped member 34 effect a magnetic drag as the truck D is moved over the surface of the ramp F. The magnetic attraction between the ramp and the tub-shaped body member 34 assures that the fork-lift truck D will be maintained in an upright stready position as it is moved over the ramp.

When the fork-lift truck D is moved in a direction toward the railway car E, the slide plate 48 is in a forward position as indicated in solid lines in FIG. 6. When the slide plate 48 is in the forward position, the crane member 56 is tilted forward to present the jaws 66 below lumber stacked on supporting members It), 12 and 14. As soon as the pin member 42 begins movement in an opposite direction, the slide plate 48 is slid backwardly to close the jaw member 66 as the wire member 70 connected thereto is moved backwardly also. This effects the gripping of a piece of lumber between the jaws 66 and the jaws 64.

In accordance with the invention, the slot 78 is made in the form of an elongated L shape and the crank arm 76 is connected to a cam guide plate 80 which has a depending pin 82 (FIGURES 4, 7 and 8) which rides in a slot 84. The slot includes an elongated portion 86a perpendicular to the railway car E and a curved portion 84b extending toward the adjacent side of the platform.

A link 85 has an opening at one end through which the central hub portion 86 of the crank arm 76 extends. The link is pivotally connected at its opposite end to a long actuating arm 88 which is pivotally mounted on the platform A (FIGS. 3 and 4). The arm 88 is connected intermediate its length by a tension spring 92 which is connected by a string 90 at its opposite end to a corner of a driving mechanism supporting bracket generally designated 96. The string 94 remains loose when the arm 88 is in a position remote from the track section. But the play in the spring is taken up when the arm is moved toward the track section so as to cause tensioning of the spring 92 in this location (FIG. 3). This urges the arm 88 in a direction away from the railway car E when the fork-lift truck is in a position to unload lumber from a car and assures that the fork-lift truck will be moved backwardly to an unloading position on the platform and that the mechanism will not jam.

The arm 88 is provided with an upstanding stud 98 at one end (see FIGS. 3 and 4). A short link 97 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) is pivoted at its center on the same pivot as the arm 88 and is provided with a similar upstanding stud 100 (FIG. 5) positioned adjacent-the stud 98. Adjacent its pivot, the arm 88 is provided with a coil spring holding portion 102 around which is wound a coil spring 104 having ends 106, 108 which extend on opposite sides of the 4 studs 98 and to be reversely effective. Thus movement of the link 97 is effected to transmit motion of the arm 88 through a medium of a coil spring 104.

The opposite end of the link 97 is pivotally connected to a link 110 which is pivotally connected to an outstanding boss 112 affixed to a gear 114 at a location removed from the center thereof. The gear 114 is rotated to effect pivotal movement of the arm 88 by a speed gear mechanism actuated by an impulse motor generally designated 116. The gear 114 meshes with a smaller gear portion 118 (FIG. 4) afiixed to an idler shaft carrying a larger gear portion 128 of a dual gea-rmember generally designated 121. The larger gear 128 is rotated by a small gear 122 affixed to a shaft carrying a pulley member 124. All of the gear shafts are supported on a bracket 96 and the gear members freely rotate thereon.

Afiixed adjacent one corner of the bracket 96 is the impulse motor 116 which includes a solenoid 126 which is effective to continuously vibrate a magnetic member 128. The magnetic member 128 is provided with a cup piece 130 having a small-sized aperture at the bottom thereof through which a piece of string 132 extends and is secured therein. The string 132 is looped around the pulley 124 and is connected at its opposite end to a tension spring 134 which is connected to the bracket 96. The general principle and construction of the impulse motor 116 is shown in US. Patent No. 2,954,491, issued September 27, 1960, to the assignee of this application.

When the solenoid 126 is actuated electrically, the member 128 vibrates to effect alternate tensioning and slackening of the string 132 and a rapid rotation of the pulley 124. This rotative movement of the pulley 124 is transmitted through the gearing to the gear 114 which, by means of the link 110, effects movement of the arm 88. Movement of the arm 88 causes movement of the cam plate 80 which is guided in its movement by the pin 82 which extends into the slot 84. Movement of the mechanism in this fashion is effective to move the pin 42 along the complete length of the slot 78 starting at the end adjacent the train E to a position remote from the train and to effect rotation of the crank arm 76 through a quarter turn and thus effect similar turning of the fork-lift truck D when the hub portion 86 enters the short-leg portion of the L-shaped slot 78.

Thus the invention provides a mechanism for effecting a uniform, continuous movement of a fork-lift truck into a position for contacting a piece of lumber on a model railway train and lifting the lumber from the train and transporting it back to an unloading station on a platform. The mechanism includes means for turning the fork-lift truck approximately 90 degrees into its unloading position and thereafter effecting the dropping of the lumber from the gripping jaws thereof.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. A toy material loading device comprising a pick-up station and a discharge station spaced therefrom, an unloading platform adjacent both of said stations, said platform having a slot comprising a first portion extending away from said pick-up station and a second portion extending away from said discharge station, a ramp positioned on said platform over said slot, said ramp having a slot comprising a first portion extending away from said pick-up station and a second portion extending away from said discharge station, a vehicle adapted for movement over said ramp, an actuating arm, cam means pivotally connected to said actuating arm and including a portion projecting into said platform slot, a crank arm attached to said cam means and having a portion extending through said ramp slot in operative engagement with said vehicle, material engaging means on said vehicle actuable by said crank arm, and means to move said actuating arm whereby said cam means is moved along said platform slot to rotate said vehicle while said crank arm moves along said ramp slot to actuate said material engaging means.

2. A toy unloading device according to claim 1 wherein said material engaging means comprises a crane member having a forwardly extending arm, a pivotal jaw movable toward and away from said arm for engaging objects between said arm and said member, and a plate having an opening therein slidably mounted on said vehicle, said plate being connected to said pivotal jaw and said crank arm extending through said opening, whereby the movement of said crank arm causes the sliding of said plate to open and close said pivotal member.

3. The toy unloading device according to claim 2 wherein said vehicle includes means magnetically attracted to said ramp to maintain said vehicle in an upright position. Y

4. A toy unloading device according to claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises means for reciprocating said actuating arm, said reciprocating means including a vibrating member, means to vibrate said member, a pulley, a line connected at one end to said vibrating member and extending around said pulley, said line being tensioned at the opposite end, and means connected to said pulley to move said actuating arm upon vibration of said vibrating member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 745,183 Head Nov. 24, 1903 1,839,438 Prussing Jan. 5, 1932 2,584,466 Kaserman Feb. 5, 1952 2,665,913 Hlavac Jan. 12, 1954 2,690,626 Gay Oct. 5, 1954 2,954,491 Digirolamo Sept. 27, 1960 

